My spouse keeps joking: 'Should I be present for the birth or not?'

We had a similar situation. I talked openly with my wife before the birth, and I told her that I didn't want her to come in because her joking around wasn't supportive for me. But she said later that she felt guilty for not going in. I think we need to sit down and have a clear conversation about it.

Honestly, your partner might be relieving their own tension a bit this way. They said, 'I might mess up and we’ll be embarrassed,' which means they are actually feeling anxious in their own way. I think you’re worrying too much; guys generally have a hard time adapting to these kinds of things, so don’t push too hard. 😬

During the childbirth process, your partner's support can reduce the mother's anxiety, but this is entirely related to the couple's communication preferences. Some fathersmanage their stress with jokes, but if you're feeling uncomfortable, it's better to ask about the situation. If necessary, you can consult a birthing coach together.

Let me add a detail here, he’s actually an easygoing person but when things get serious, he seems to hesitate. He sometimes says things like, 'What if I faint or get too nervous to help you?' But I expect him to speak more seriously; honestly, I feel sensitive when it’s always about jokes.

Whether a man should enter the delivery room in our neighborhood is still a topic of debate. Frankly, it won’t change anything even if the man is there; after all, motherhood is a woman's job! If the guy is struggling, even if he makes jokes, he should just wait outside. If he doesn't want to support her, this way is more appropriate.